“Let’s give 153km pitcher and bring Kim Ha-seong” Boston reporter offers trade

A Boston Red Sox local reporter argued that Kim Ha-seong (28, San Diego Padres) should be traded. Fastball pitcher Tanner Ha-wook (27) was named as the trade partner. 

On the 7th (Korean time), Boston local media ‘Math Live’ suggested that the Red Sox, who had lost Zander Bogarts (San Diego), need to reinforce their shortstop, suggesting a one-on-one trade for reliever pitchers Ha-wook Ha and Ha-sung Kim. 

Reporter Sean McAdam of the Boston Sports Journal said on a podcast, “Ha-sung Kim could be the perfect link for the Red Sox until prospect Marcelo Mayer is ready for his debut in 2025. It takes two years for Mayer to grow, but coincidentally, Kim Ha-sung’s contract also has two years left. 

Next, reporter McAdam said, “Kim Ha-seong will be a plus defender as a shortstop. If Ha-seong Kim plays excellent defense in the center infield, he can put Trevor Story, whose arm strength is a concern, at second base. If Kike Hernandez remains in center field, we can become a very strong team defensively.” 

Also, reporter McAdam said, “Offensively, Ha-seong Kim will not be able to replace Bogatz. Although he does not reach Bogatz’s career 메이저놀이터 batting average of 2.9, he can still hit 15-18 home runs at Fenway Park and hit the final blow.” Kim Ha-seong, who recorded a batting average of .251 last year, hit 11 home runs in 150 games. It was expected that the number of home runs would increase at Fenway Park, which is relatively hitter-friendly. 

Furthermore, reporter McAdam said, “Ha-seong Kim can serve as shortstop not only in 2023 but also until 2024. His 2-year salary is also reasonable at $7 million, and considering the excellent defense he provides, there is a good chance of a trade. Trade or not, it could be Boston’s last move in the next five weeks until spring training.”

Meanwhile, right-handed pitcher Ha-wook, who was proposed as a trade card for Kim Ha-seong, is a prospect who was nominated as the 24th overall pick in the first round in the 2017 draft. Since his big league debut in 2020, he has recorded 53 total games (20 starts), 9 wins, 9 losses, and 9 saves with an earned run average of 3.02 over the past three years. He is averaging 10.1 per 9 innings with 164 strikeouts in 146 innings. 

Last year, he threw 60 innings in 32 games (4 starts) and recorded 5 wins, 4 losses, 8 saves, an average ERA of 3.15 and 56 strikeouts. Ha-wook, who throws a four-seam fastball with an average of 95.2 miles (153.2 km) as a three-quarter pitcher, uses sharp sliders and sinkers as his main weapons. He has been positioned as a bullpen due to team circumstances, but he is a resource that can be used as a starter. The value of the trade is high as it takes five more seasons until 2027 to qualify for free agency.